The return of Shane Smeltz and Jason Culina from international duty is sure to free the up the game plan for Gold Coast United. That is the thought of coach Miron Bleiberg who is delighted to have the pair back for the home clash with third-placed Perth Glory on Sunday.
Striker Smeltz was in Bahrain for the first leg of a World Cup qualifier with New Zealand whilst playmaker Culina was on duty for a double-header with Australia that took in a friendly against Holland and an Asian Cup qualifier against Oman.
Bleiberg expects their return to add some creativity and flair to the United line-up.
"Now, especially with Jason and Shane back, it's time for us to get back to the way we were playing at the start of the season," Bleiberg declared.
"I will be telling the players that I want to see the type of free-flowing football we produced in the opening rounds and I want us to be known for this style - for it to become our hallmark. "Our aim last week was to recover from our slump and we've done that. We've stopped leaking goals, we stopped the losses and we are still in second place on the ladder. We want to be serious contenders for the title and we have said this from day one.
"Even after just ten rounds, we have experienced the full spectrum when it comes to performances. We have played the entertaining, attacking football; we have taken a couple of hits; we have ground out a result with a workman-like display.
"All those things have made us stronger mentally, physically and tactically. Players are not V8 cars; they are human beings and get affected by things like confidence, etc.
"But our confidence is back now and we have a good squad to choose from this weekend," he said.